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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Central, SC (NOW HIRING)

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Direct Support Professional information

See Central, SC salary details

$8

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$17

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Central, SC is $13.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.36 and $15.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a direct support professional?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are caregivers who assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their daily lives. They help with personal care, medication management, meal preparation, and transportation, while also supporting clients in achieving personal goals and participating in community activities. DSPs play a vital role in promoting independence, dignity, and quality of life for those they support.

What are some common challenges direct support professionals face when supporting individuals with disabilities, and how can they effectively handle them?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) often encounter challenges such as managing behavioral outbursts, ensuring effective communication with nonverbal individuals, and balancing the need for independence with safety. Handling these situations requires patience, empathy, and strong problem-solving skills. Many DSPs find it helpful to use individualized behavior support plans, maintain clear communication with team members, and participate in ongoing training. Building trust and understanding the unique needs of each individual also play a key role in overcoming daily challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a direct support professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Direct Support Professional, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic caregiving knowledge, and an understanding of developmental disabilities. Familiarity with documentation systems, incident reporting tools, and sometimes CPR/First Aid certification is typically required. Patience, strong interpersonal skills, and empathy are crucial soft skills for effectively supporting individuals and building trust. These skills are vital for ensuring client safety, promoting independence, and delivering compassionate care tailored to each individual's needs.

What is the difference between Direct Support Professional vs Personal Care Assistant?

AspectDirect Support ProfessionalPersonal Care Assistant
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, sometimes specialized trainingCPR, First Aid often required
Work EnvironmentAssisting individuals with disabilities in community or residential settingsProviding personal care in private homes or facilities
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, government agencies, healthcare providersHome care agencies, private clients

Both roles involve assisting individuals with daily activities, often requiring similar certifications like CPR and First Aid. However, Direct Support Professionals typically work in community or residential settings supporting people with disabilities, while Personal Care Assistants mainly provide personal care services in private homes. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the role that best matches their skills and career goals.

Where do direct support professionals get paid the most?

Direct Support Professionals tend to earn higher wages in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for healthcare and social services, such as certain metropolitan areas. States or areas with a strong focus on healthcare, social services, or specialized care often offer higher pay rates for this role. Factors like experience, certifications, and the specific employer also influence salary levels.

What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Central, SC look for?

The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Central, SC are:

What cities near Central, SC are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs?

Cities near Central, SC with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:

Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Central, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $28,982 per year, or $13.9 per hour.

DSP (As Needed, 3rd Shift)

Oconee County Disabilities and Special Needs Board

Seneca, SC โ€ข On-site

$15/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Assist advocates with personal needs such as lifting, walking, dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, and dining.

  • Operate patient lift equipment to transfer advocates and ensure their safety during movement.

  • Provide supervision, document care, and implement programming objectives as required.


Job description

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

This position may require heavy lifting by transferring advocates from a wheelchair to a bed and back to the wheelchair; commode seats; bath or shower; chair or assisting from the floor after they’ve fallen. It requires average strength and mobility in order to successfully assist the advocates.

General Responsibilities: Under the general direction of the House Manager or other Supervisor, performs routine tasks as necessary to keep the operation of the assigned area flowing smoothly in accordance with SCDDSN, OCDSNB and any other entity requirements. Ensures the general health, welfare and safety of the advocates.

Specific Duties:
    1.Ensures that advocates’ choices are solicited and respected
    2.Assists in the decision-making process of the advocates while helping to support them with recognizing different outcomes
    3.Must complete all new hire training within the required time frame. Must complete all required annual training before training becomes out of date.
    4.Must complete an annual TB statement.
    5.Must complete form provided by agency RN if have had a positive TB test and Xray.
    6.Assists advocates as needed to include lifting, walking, dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, dining or other personal needs.
    7.Must be able to remove/insert/clean dentures; attach/detach orthopedic devices; thicken liquids and prepare food as prescribed for swallowing difficulties; manage ostomy care or other kinds of stomas.
    8.Operate patient lift equipment to assist advocates from bed to wheelchair; wheelchair to toilet or as needed.
    9.Must be able to lift more than 50 pounds.
    10.Work can be strenuous, physically demanding and very difficult.
    11.Must be able to withstand extreme temperatures during work. E.g., the employee will experience outdoor weather conditions while loading/unloading the consumers from the vans.
    12.Must be able to bend and stoop while loading wheelchair advocates and then securing the wheelchairs in the lift vans.
    13.Must be able to cook, house clean, wash clothes and other household duties as needed.
    14.Must be able to provide CPR/First Aid to advocates which will include stooping down to get on the floor to respond.
    15.Must be able to run and move quickly in dealing with advocate behavior problems or when an advocate elopes.
    16. Responsible for providing supervision and documenting this care hourly in Therap or any and all forms of documentation used by the agency.
    17.Responsible for implementing and documenting programming objectives as written.
    18.All training classes are attended as outlined by SCDDSN and OCDSNB.
    19.Records data on BSP’s as written.
    20.Ensures checklist duties are completed.
    21.Provides coverage and assistance as needed on activities, outings and appointments.
    22.Assists the House Manager as needed.
    23.Provides counseling and friendship to advocates and assists with their problems and concerns as needed.
    24.Ensures that SCDDSN and OCDSNB requirements are met.
    25.Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications: High school diploma or GED. (Internet-based diplomas are not acceptable unless they are accredited and recognized by the issuing state.) Valid driver’s license. Satisfactory criminal background check. Satisfactory driving record. Satisfactory record with the South Carolina Department of Social Services Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry. If resident of South Carolina for less than 1 year, a satisfactory record with the FBI by being fingerprinted.

Specific Skills or Attributes: Effective written and oral communication skills. Ability to relate to and communicate with the residents, parents, staff, visitors, professional providers to the residents, and the general public.

Physical Abilities Required: Including but not limited to lifting, pushing, pulling, standing, climbing, balancing, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, smelling, communication, writing, reading, driving, (including at night), counting, and running. Physical requirements include very heavy work or lifting with assistance. Visual activity must be accurate enough to write and read small print and to record data. Employee is subject to both indoor and outdoor environments and may be subject to extremes of heat or cold for short periods of time. Employee is subject to noise and hazards including but not limited to the possibilities of physical assault, property destruction and infections. Employee is also subject to wear protective clothing to prevent infections.

Hours of work: Depending on shift assignment, may work 1st, 2nd or 3rd shift. Will work 40 hours per week which includes Monday thru Friday, holidays, as well as weekends to include Saturday and Sunday. Depending on staffing needs, may work additional weekends.